Dulary the elephant dies at age 50: Philadelphia Zoo

Dulary, a 50-year-old Asian elephant who called the Philadelphia Zoo her home for more than 40 years, died on Dec. 23, zoo officials said. Credit: Philadelphia Zoo

Dulary, an Asian elephant that called the Philadelphia Zoo her home for 43 years before moving to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, died on Sunday.

She had been experiencing health issues this year, officials said, but recently, had been active and eating well. Dulary was found lying down in the barn early Sunday morning and efforts to help her stand were unsuccessful. She passed away this morning. Doctors will determine the exact cause of death.

Dulary was born in 1963 and made the Philadelphia Zoo her home a year later where she lived with both African and Asian elephants. The Zoo relocated the elephants in 2006 after they determined there wasn't enough funding to build a new elephant habitat suitable for the expanding herd, they said. Dulary relocated to The Elephant Sanctuary and arrived on May 1, 2007.

"She lived her life to the fullest every day," said Zoo officials in a news release. "She will be remembered with joy by all of those whose lives she touched. We are honored to have been a part of her journey."